NFL Player News

Jones worked with the Patriots' first-team offense "the vast majority of the time" during OTAs and minicamp, Chris Mason of The Springfield Republican reports.

While speculation of a quarterback controversy brewed in New England earlier in the offseason, Jones' efforts this spring suggest that he maintains a sturdy grip on the starting job ahead of 2022 fourth-round pick Bailey Zappe. Per Jeff Howe of The Athletic, Jones "has looked more confident this spring and has been throwing the ball well" while looking comfortable in the team's new offense under coordinator Bill O'Brien, who has reportedly been implementing portions of the system he used during his time with the University of Alabama.

Mills will compete with C.J. Stroud for the top quarterback job heading into training camp, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports. "We'll see where their process goes in training camp and see as the competition continues," Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said Tuesday. "We'll see who separates themselves."

Mills and Stroud, who was selected with the second overall pick in this year's draft, have rotated reps with the first-team offense throughout OTAs and minicamp. The Texans view Stroud as the franchise quarterback they've missed since the controversial exit of Deshaun Watson, who was traded to Cleveland last year. Quarterbacks selected in the top five of drafts typically start Week 1, as 11 of 17 quarterbacks drafted in the top five since 2011 have opened their rookie campaigns as their team's No. 1 QB. In addition, over the last two seasons Houston has ranked 31st in QBR (33.3), much of that with Mills under center -- so he's done little to establish any job security.

Stroud is getting first-team reps this week, though coach DeMeco Ryans suggested Davis Mills will continue working with the starters as well, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

The Texans are rotating first-team reps by week, rather than by day, giving Stroud and Mills the opportunity to throw to starters in consecutive practices. While Ryans downplayed its significance, it's certainly not a bad sign for Stroud that he's the one leading the way at June minicamp, the final team activities before training camp begins in late July. The No. 2 overall pick won't be simply handed the Week 1 starting job, but he is being given every chance to prove he's ready for the assignment.

White has struggled during spring practices and will need to compete with Skylar Thompson for the second spot on the depth chart, according to Daniel Oyefusi of The Miami Herald.

A two-year, $8 million contract makes White the favorite for Miami's backup QB job, but it apparently isn't a sure thing. The catch here is that White is new to coach Mike McDaniel's system, while Thompson had all of last year to learn it. White still has training camp and the preseason ahead of him to prove he's the best option for Miami under center in the event of a Tua Tagovailoa injury.

Mariota has been an active participant at the Eagles' OTAs this spring, Jimmy Kempski of Philly Voice reports.

Mariota signed a one-year contract with the Eagles this offseason after finishing last season with Atlanta on injured reserve with a knee injury. The quarterback appears to be healthy ahead of the 2023 campaign and is expected to operate as the top backup behind starting quarterback Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia. Mariota, the second overall pick in 2015, started 13 games with the Falcons last season. If Hurts were to go down, the Eagles' offense wouldn't have to change much considering Mariota is similarly mobile.

Rodgers (calf) participated in the red-zone and two-minute portions of Friday's 11-on-11 session, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Rodgers, who strained his calf at the beginning of OTAs, had been cleared for everything but 11-on-11 drills earlier in the week. He sat out the beginning of full-team drills Friday, allowing Zach Wilson to take the reins, but the veteran quarterback worked his way into the mix during the final parts of the session and should be fully healthy for training camp. Rodgers attended all of the Jets OTAs, but he's now heading back to California and is planning to invite the Jets' receivers to the West Coast for some offseason workouts, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Tagovailoa has added noticeable size and strength during Miami's offseason training program, David Furones of the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Tagovailoa's mindset is on improvement entering Year 4, as his offseason has featured not only strength training but also techniques to avoid future concussions and practice with a helmet camera to put him more in sync with coaches. Last year Tagovailoa proved an ability to thrive in coach Mike McDaniel's scheme, at least when healthy, but concussion issues limited him to just 13 appearances. Now with another offseason of familiarity with McDaniel's system, plus increased chemistry with star wideouts Tyreek Hill (undisclosed) and Jaylen Waddle, Tagovailoa should be viewed as a high-upside option in 2023 fantasy drafts after the top options at his position are off the board.

Head coach Frank Reich noted Thursday that Dalton is slated continue to work with the second team during next week's minicamp, while rookie Bryce Young handles first-team reps, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

The report notes that Dalton was listed as the starting quarterback during the first two weeks of voluntary offseason workouts and began each drill with the first unit, though Young saw more first-team reps . While Young has yet to be officially confirmed as Carolina's Week 1 starter, that's the expected outcome and his elevated responsibilities in practice represent "the next step" to that end, per coach Frank Reich. Dalton was brought in by the Panthers in March after starting in 14 games for the Saints last season, and assuming all goes as planned he'll serve as a veteran backup/mentor for Young this coming season.

Young handled all the Panthers' first-team reps QB during Thursday's practice, Joseph Person and Larry Holder of the Athletic report.

Previously, both Young and veteran Andy Dalton had been taking first-team reps during OTAs, but the report notes that coach Frank Reich and GM Scott Fitterer had been eyeing this week as the time to transition to the rookie working more extensively with the top unit. Though Young has yet to be officially named the Panthers' Week 1 starter, it would be a surprise if the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft doesn't land the assignment.

San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday that Purdy (elbow) is "right on pace" with his recovery and is throwing three times a week, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Purdy resumed throwing last week and did some running on the side field during the first day of San Francisco's mandatory minicamp Tuesday. Sam Darnold and Trey Lance will continue to split first-team reps while Purdy rehabs from offseason UCL surgery, but the Iowa State product remains the frontrunner to claim a starting spot when he's back to 100 percent.